The level of suffering in Gaza defies belief, with innocent civilians trapped in an unliveable situation. Over 60,000 people have been killed, many of whom have been women and children. Homes, hospitals and schools have been destroyed. We continue to see hunger and disease, with ninety per cent of Gaza’s current population displaced. A generation have been scarred by the horrors of brutal urban conflict.
I want to start by setting out steps taken by this Labour Government so far, which include:
- Formally changing the position of the UK government to support an immediate ceasefire following the General Election in July 2024.
- Reinstating funding to UNRWA, acknowledging their vital role in delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
- Suspending a series of arms and export licences being used by Israel in September 2024. This suspension is being constantly reviewed by the Government to ensure that it prevents weapons that originate from the UK being used in the Gaza Strip.
- Suspending talks on a trade deal with Israel and summoning the Israeli Ambassador to the Foreign Office to formally condemn the actions of the Israeli government in May 2025.
- Imposing fresh sanctions on West Bank settlers to condemn Israel’s approval of new illegal settlements.
- Sanctioning far-right Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in response to their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities in June 2025.
- Working with international partners to call consistently for the release of hostages and for negotiations which we hope will culminate in a durable peace.
I have heard your views loud and clear, and the ongoing humanitarian nightmare in Gaza cannot and must not be ignored. That is why I wrote to Hamish Falconer MP, Minister for the Middle East, in June to give voice to the many concerns constituents have raised with me over the course of previous months. Please let me know if you would like to read my letter and the Minister's response, which I would be happy to share.
Recently, alongside close international partners, the Government made the historic decision to formally recognise Palestine as a state in September. This decision isn't a reward for Hamas or their brutality - we're clear that they have no role to play in the future of Gaza. Rather, it recognises that Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, and that the status-quo is working for nobody. Britain’s actions, including recognising a Palestinian state alongside our allies, have since helped lead to the historic New York declaration and agreement signed in Egypt. We must also recognise the tireless diplomatic efforts of Middle Eastern states who have been critical in reaching this first step in securing a lasting peace.
The agreement in the region must continue to be implemented in full, without delay, and must be accompanied by the immediate lifting of any remaining restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza and return of the hostages who have tragically died in captivity.
Going forward, we must seize this once in a generation chance to bring a terrible chapter in history, finally, to a close. Britain is fully committed to playing a key role in the rebuilding of Gaza and will be actively working with our partners to secure a stable future for the region where a safe and secure Israel sits alongside a viable and independent Palestinian state.